About

Breadcrumb

1880s

Bethel’s beginnings were in the Emmental School near what is now Goessel, Kan., and the Halstead (Kan.) Seminary. In 1887, the charter was filed to start Bethel College. The Administration Building cornerstone was laid Oct. 12, 1888 (right).

1877

Dec. 14: first meeting of Kansas Conference

1882

Sept. 14: Emmental school opens

1883

Sept. 17: Halstead Seminary opens

1886

Newton Street Railway organized

1887

May 23: Bethel College charter filed

1888

Oct. 12: Administration Building cornerstone laid

1890s

The Administration Building (right) was dedicated Sept. 20, 1893, and classes began. Cornelius H. Wedel became the first president of Bethel College.

1890

Nov. 20: Newton Street Railway discontinued

1893

Sept. 20: Administration Building dedicated; classes begin

1896

September: Art department established, along with the first Bible Institute and Evangelists’ Course

1898

September: Commercial department and Department of Elocution and Physical Culture established

1899

Normal Training Course started

1900s

Maroon and gray were adopted as the school colors. A gift from Carnegie was used to build a women’s dormitory. Goerz House (right), the first private residence on the campus, was built in 1893.

1907

Maroon and gray selected as college colors

April 17: gift from Andrew Carnegie for women’s dormitory received

1908

Publication of first annual (yearbook), Echoes

1909

Curriculum becomes departmentalized

First Baccalaureate service is held in May

1910s

During this decade, the four-year college course was introduced and the first class graduated. Agriculture classes and intercollegiate football became a part of Bethel. The interurban line reached campus (right), connecting the college to the city of Newton.

1910

First student handbook published

August: J. H. Langenwalter becomes acting president

1911

Four-year college course introduced

Bethel College’s first song published

Sept. 12: J. W. Kliewer assumes presidency

1912

First class graduates

First organization of faculty committees

Electric power and water mains extended to campus

1913

Agricultural courses introduced

Oct. 25: Interurban line reaches campus

1915

First intercollegiate basketball game

1916

Feb. 29: “Alma Mater” adopted as official college song

1917

Home economics department established

First intercollegiate football game

1918

January: First issue of student paper, Bethel Breeze, published

September: Teaching of German language temporarily suspended

1920s

Several presidents held office during this period, including J.E. Hartzler, J.H. Langenwalter and J.W. Kliewer, who was selected for a second term. The college held its first homecoming and added the Science Hall to its campus (right).

1920

June 4: J. E. Hartzler assumes presidency

Bible school division established

1921

Bethel Breeze becomes Bethel Collegian

J. H. Langenwalter elected president

1922

June 6: First homecoming held

1924

Oct. 12: Science Hall cornerstone laid

1924-25

Science Hall erected

1925

J. W. Kliewer begins second term as president

1926

Interurban line to Bethel discontinued

1930s

The college acquired the dairy adjacent to the college (right). The Women’s Association and the historical library and archives were established, and Bethel received accreditation through the North Central Association.

1932

E. G. Kaufman assumes presidency

Western District Conference of the General Conference Mennonite Church affirms support for Bethel as a liberal arts college

Bethel dairy established

1934

Spring: Women’s Association organized

Addition of college farm and equipment

June: Office of public relations established

August: Print shop added

College motto adopted: “Bethel College Building Character”

1935

September: Commerce department established

October: News Service established

First Buffalo Barbecue

1936

Spring: Chimes tower completed

Historical Library and Archives established

1938

Oct. 12: Cornerstone of Memorial Hall laid

April 7: Bethel accredited through North Central Association

1939

September: Quarter system introduced

1940s

Kauffman Museum became part of the Bethel campus. Franz Shop was dedicated, and the library cornerstone laid (right).

1940

Summer: Kauffman Museum acquired

1942

Alumni Office created

March 23: Memorial Hall dedicated

1947

November: Franz Shop dedicated

1948

Cornerstone laying for new library

1950s

Two new dormitories were built on campus, Goering Hall (right) and the Women’s Residence Hall (later named Haury). The college produced its first opera and began an exchange program with the Bergische-Universität-Gesamthochschule-Wuppertal in Germany

1960s

With the changing of the mascot, the Bethel College Graymaroons became Threshers. Dancing was finally allowed on campus, and the first commercial food service was hired. The Fine Arts Center was built, along with the brick walkway between it and the Administration Building (right).

1960

Jan. 17: Martin Luther King, Jr., speaks at Bethel as part of Mem Hall Lecture Series

1980s

The Mantz Library was built, as well as a new maintenance shop. KIPCOR (Kansas Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution) was established. The college celebrated 100 years of educating students and appeared on Good Morning America (right).